Dan Federkeil, whom the Argos selected with their first-round pick and fifth overall in the 2006 draft of Canadian-born or raised university/college players, agreed yesterday to a deal with the Colts.

The massive, 22-year-old Medicine Hat native will try to crack the Colts lineup as an offensive line prospect, even though he starred for the University of Calgary Dinosaurs as a defensive end.

He played in some short yardage situations as an offensive lineman. The Argos drafted Federkeil to convert him to nose tackle to help fill the void left by the retirement of veteran Noah Cantor.

Federkeil declined to talk to the media yesterday pending a media conference today in Calgary.

Federkeil reportedly received a small signing bonus of $3,000 US and he'll be battling for a spot against prospects who've played offensive line.

"Am I surprised? Yes and no," Argos player-personnel director Greg Mohns said. "I knew he wanted to look down south. Obviously, he led us to believe (he wanted to be drafted by the Argos), but in an Internet (article) his tone was even if he got a bare-bones free-agent offer (he'd sign). That's what happened.

"But they drafted an offensive guard and an offensive tackle and he's one of four offensive linemen signed as undrafted free agents. I'll let everyone make their own assumptions."

This will be the third consecutive year the Argos' first-round selection won't be with them to open training camp. Last year they drafted offensive tackle Nick Kaczur out of the University of Toledo, knowing it could be several years before he joined the team.

He was drafted in the third round by New England and became a starter in some games. Mark Moroz, an offensive lineman whom the Argos drafted fourth overall in 2004 out of Wake Forest, missed part of his initial season while trying out with Tampa Bay. He never got on track in Toronto and was cut midway through last season and signed by Hamilton.

The Argos are negotiating with their second-round picks in 2005 -- linebacker Ray Fontaine out of the University of Kentucky -- as well as University of Western Ontario cornerback Leron Mitchell, their 2006 pick.

Fontaine was eligible for this year's NFL draft but no team picked him or signed him as a free agent.

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A FISH TALE

The Argos still are waiting to see if the Miami Dolphins will allow suspended running back Ricky Williams to play for Toronto. Williams lost the appeal last week of the one-year suspension imposed by the NFL for violating the substance abuse policy for the fourth time. The Argos added Williams to their negotiation list and have been talking with the player's agent, Leigh Steinberg. Williams has two years remaining on his Dolphins deal and head coach Nick Saban has the final say.